‘Shalom’ after Jerusalem row

Smita Sharma

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Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 14

Putting aside the Jerusalem vote row — New Delhi voted in favour of a United Nations General Assembly resolution rejecting US recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel — India and Israel today forged closer ties. 

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In departure from protocol and reciprocating his Israeli counterpart’s gesture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife  Sara at the airport. Both leaders shared a warm hug. 

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This is the first official visit to India by an Israeli Prime Minister since Ariel Sharon’s in 2003. “Your visit is historic and special. It will further cement the close friendship between our nations,” PM Modi wrote on Twitter. 

Soon afterwards, the two  participated in a ceremony at the Teen Murti Memorial marking the formal renaming of Teen Murti Chowk as Teen Murti Haifa Chowk. They paid homage to 44 Indian soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice for the liberation of fortified Haifa city on September 23, 1918, during World War I. 

The then 15 Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade, including Hyderabad, Jodhpur and Mysore Lancers, represented by three bronze statues at Teen Murti Haifa Chowk, had led a victorious assault on the joint forces of Ottomans, Germany and Austria-Hungary. The capture of Haifa cleared the sea route for supplies for Allies. Each year, 61 Cavalry celebrates September 23 as its Raising Day or “Haifa Day”.

Modi wrote in Gujarati in the visitors’ book: “The sacrifice commemorated at Teen Murti observes its centenary. Naming this spot as Teen Murti Haifa Chowk marks this historic occasion. We pay homage to the brave soldiers. Salute to the great Indian tradition of selfless sacrifice and penance.”

“We are deeply moved and honoured as we remember the brave Indian soldiers who helped liberate our land and Haifa,” wrote Sara and Benjamin Netanyahu, who were hosted for a private dinner by PM Modi tonight.

Modi and Netanyahu had laid wreaths at the Indian War Cemetery in Haifa during the historic first-ever visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Israel last year.

Tomorrow, Netanyahu will receive the ceremonial guard of honour and hold formal restricted and delegation talks with Modi. He will travel to Agra, Ahmedabad and Mumbai with Modi accompanying him for a large part of the visit. Netanyahu is accompanied by a 130-member business delegation.